Method and apparatus for producing fibers



Dec. 29, 1953 c. J. STALEGO 2,663,903

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING FIBERS Filed Nov. 2, 194a 2 Sheets-Sheet 1v Wv QMMMW Dec. 29, 1953 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING FIBERS Filed NOV. 2, 1948 c. J. STALEGO 2,663.,903

2- Sheets -Sheet 2 INVENTOR. CHA EAL-'6 d. Smuao BY Patented Dec. 29, 1953 256633903 isssapos THODf FGR" PRODUGING 'FIBERS- v Charles QStalegm; eNeWai'l OIi-io, a ss igno r to Owens-Corning rlFiberglasr Corporation," a cor- ,p rati niar Delaware 7 Application Noycmber 2, 1948,- Serial 51,913 115. claims. (01. 2-18-42 5) 51 e V ';.'-1-hisinvention relates to rarmethod; andaa-ppa- -tratus for producing fibers from thenmqplastic -inateria-ls suchgfori:example as glass.

:t-Fin'e glass and amineral wool r fibers have :hereetlzi'foizebeen.riroduced -by-=several well-known processes which include flowing a stream ref-the ma- -1=-terial in:-a; highly molten state:andimpingingsthe r-streamlwi-th-ia blast iof-iair or steam under-thigh .pressure. -.T.' he5stream ds disrupted by the blast tintoa multiplicity of-fine tparticlesfwhich are atc-tenuated" bYvth'B'F-fQI-OG-Df the blast into fibers by whatrcommonlyaknown as anfatom-izi-ng action. 'Ihe product-ion offibers of a -uniform qualityr-by :r-this process requires a substantially constant l-iigh temperature in' the glass -and1since the rate of glassifiow --is.jai1 ly rapid a large volume l of ss l ply must be i maintained. ffliis :necess-itates the expense of bringing T the supply body up 130 and holding it at-a temperature at which the glass :is substantially fluid.

A-nother; method of vforming fibers embodies flowing molten ,glass froma suitable afeeder or melter' in the form-of a multiplicity of streams which are attenuated to produce glass rods or ,primaryfilaments of given diameter bymeans-of .coacting feed rolls 1 located below the ieeder-fa :isutficient distance to assure cooling ofthe streams to solidification before engagement by the feed rolls. a

"The rods or -.fi-lamen-ts:are projected by {the -feed rolls into -.a.;.gaSe0us blast havingaaitempenatune cexceeding-the softening temperature of therglass nrods and havinga V velocity suficient to draw out .thelsolitened rods into fibersof the selected size.

A blastthavingvthe requisite characteristics, may be produced by an internal combustion rztype' .burnerthavinga chamberin which .a. combustible --.gaseous mixture is" burned with a high'zrat'e of combustion and having an outlet openings-through which the products. of combustion-are discharged.

The outlet opening is elongateddn a: directiomex- -.-tending transversely of the chamber sand mast a cross sectional area so proportionedwithrespect .to the cross sectional area of the chambersthat the gaseous products of combustion; are idis .145

charged through the outlet the form :ofca -:rib- I bon-likeblastmoving at =substa-ntial "velocity.

A primary object of the present invention Jr's the production oi .fibers from thermoplastic materialssuch .as glass, by a process which zfree of the above tfimculties .a-nd;limitations.

One \of-the principa-l objects of this invention a. isto provide a burner-assembly whereinsther om- :bustion chamber -.ser yess as aecontainer .tor molten glass and wherein the ,gIaSs blown or :drawn :out from the outlet opening by the force =of the anrcducts of combustion escaping through the outlet opening. This arrangementrenders tit aposs-ible to eliminate :theglass rod or filament gforming equipmentwith the accompanying dithcult :handling problems and thei'eby'igreatly simplifies the process as well as atheeapparatus briefiy noted: above.

another-object of this invention to-inrovide n -=the=chamber-wi-th a bottom wall of; high Eheatenesistant material adapted to bewetted by :theglass and iha-ving a portion at front flendef"'the chamber forming the bottom wall -;of the; :outlet aspen-lug. .Thus the molten gla-ss -.fiows over "the bottom wall into the outlet-openingwherefrit is subjectedwto the force of th high velocity blast and is blown from the outlet opening Still another feature of this invention ;is to provide means ior teeding glass batch glasscu-llet hr-molten g-lass'd-irectly fromea forehearth'into the combustion chamber of the burner. -xfi'he temperature -developed (in the I chamber by the high rate of combustiontaking galace the chamber v-. far exceeds the melting lpointuof: the

glass andiis-lsufiicient -to eithermelt eglass :cullet -or reduce glass batch ;to a -molten -state-tina mat- :ter oft seconds. In the event molten glass iromx-a forehearth or equivalent lfeeder is introduced-to the chamber, the extremely high heat existing 0 in the latter super-heats the imoltenaglass to temperatures of 3000 F. or more. This ieatune.;en ables feeding the molten-glass'intmthechamber at temperatures somewhat lower -than-the-.aptimum and: this :is :a decided; economical advan- 35 tage since-it enables operating-the 'glass-melter-at lowerTtemperatures. I r

A further object of "this invention is to coyer theinner surface of the bottom wall with a high temperature resistance liner :adaptedto, be read-- 40 wetted by molten glass: and i-havingaag-pontion extending over the bottom wall of the ou tlet opening- .prov-ided with 1 means for confiningthe inoltenlglass to a path somewhat less in width than "the length for the outlet Openi cgu s spaces ..ar ef provided between topposi-tegsides of i the glass stream and adjacent ends -ofytheizoutlet tqpfining for thepassage of the tsaseosrsmroducts -of -'coinbustion. Ithisy-arrangement' J50 o famolten-glass at "the opposite vends-0 f; the outlet opening and assures obtaining ta 'gproduct'zofmmne wuniform quality. eAstil-l further --object =of1this iin entionizi's to hrotz-idemrojections or serrations oniitthe top siu 555 face got the ilinersat thefidelivery side oi the outlet enclosing fined by the refractory walls of the body is a relatively large space which is divided into two enopening where they extend into the blast and enable molten glass to be drawn out from the projections by the force of the blast into fibers.

Still another object of this invention is to direct a second intensely hot high velocity gaseous blast in the general direction of the blast previously described and across the bottom of the front edge of the liner or bottom wall of the combustion chamber. The force available in the second blast combines with the first blast in blowing molten glass from the outlet opening. In accordance with this invention the second blast is produced by burning a combustible gaseous mixture in a chamber positioned directly beneath the first chamber and having a similar outlet opening through which the products of combustion are discharged. The bottom wall of the first chamber forms the top wall of the second chamber and the outlet openings are respectively located at opposite sides of the common wall in such relative positions that the products of combustion issuing from the outlet openings wipe across the front edge of the bottom wall.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through a combustion type burner assembly capable of being used to carry out the various steps of the process forming a part of this invention;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of the burner assembly shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a sectional view through a slightly modified form of burner assembly.

The process employed herein for forming a body of glass or heat softenable material having similar characteristics into relatively fine fibers, willbe more fully hereinafter understood upon considering one type of apparatus capable of being employed to carry out the various steps of the process. Referring first to the apparatus shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, it will be noted that the numeral designates an internal combustion type burner assembly having a body H of a high temperature resistant refractory, and having a metal case [2 of suitable construction the body of refractory material. C'ontirely independent chambers 13 and M by a division wall also formed of a high'temperature resistant refractory.

The end of the metal casing l2 at the rear of the body H is fashioned to provide two intake -manifolds l6 respectively communicating with the chambers l3 and [4 through passages l1 formed in the rear walls l8 of the chambers. The selected combustible gaseous mixture is independently fed to the intake manifolds i6 by conduits l9 which extend from suitable carburetion devices not shown herein.

Any suitable type of combustible gas may be used in the operation of the burner assembly, but for reasons of economy, it is preferred to use an ordinary fuel gas, such for example, as natural or manufactured fuel gas. In any case the gas is mixed with the proper amount of air by means of a conventional type of air and gas mixer not shown herein. The gas and air mixture is taken from the mixer at moderate pressure of approxi- "including the plane of the opening 2|.

The front wall of the burner is formed with a 'throatj portion 20 having an opening 2| at the forward end thereof elongated in a direction extending transversely of the burner. The front end portion of the dividing wall [5 projects through the throat and terminates in a plane The width of the portion of the wall l5 extending into the throat 20 corresponds to the length of the opening 21 and divides the opening 2! into two discharge ports 22 and 23. The port 22 communicates with the interior of the chamber [3 and the port 23 communicates with the interior of the chamber 14.

Referring now to the operation of the burner assembly i8, it will be noted that the combustible gaseous mixture admitted to the intake manifolds IG passes through the orifices H in the end walls 18 Where it ignites and burns in the two chambers with a very high degree of expansion. During operation of the burner assembly ID, the walls of the two combustion chambers are heated by the burning gas and the heat radiating inwardly from these Walls tends to increase the rate at'which the gaseous mixture admitted to the combustion chambers burns. The resulting high rate of combustion causes a great expansion of the products of combustion which escape from the respective combustion chambers into the atmosphere through the outlet ports 22 and 23.

In this connection it will further be noted that the dividing wall 15 between the two combustion chambers is exposed to the heat generated in both chambers, and as a consequence, reaches a very high temperature during continued operation of the burner. This feature also has the effect of increasing the rate of combustion in both chambers, and enables burning a greater volume of gas in chambers of a given size. Generally speaking it is preferred to feed as much combustible gaseous mixture into the chambers as possible without causing the combustion to become unstable, or to take place exteriorly of the burner assembly, or to cease altogether.

Inasmuch as combustion is effected independently in the two chambers, it is possible to alter the operating characteristics of the burner assembly by making one of the chambers larger than the other. However, for ordinary operations, it is preferred to provide chambers of substantially the same capacity, so that the operating pressures applied to opposite sides of the dividing wall I?) are practically the same. Such an arrangement avoids any possibility of deformation of the wall by the pressures existing in the two chambers.

Although the discharge ports in the front wall of the burner assembly are elongated in a direction extending transversely of the chambers, nevertheless, the cross sectional areas of these ports are so proportioned with respect to the cross sectional areas of the chambers that the products of combustion escaping through the discharge ports are greatly accelerated. "The :iproductsoisoom ibustion escaping throughwtherespective pontsrj oin at-the front edge ofifthe Qdivid-ing wall r li and form a --blast of intensely hot :gas moving 4311718, substantial velocity..

"The most efiicient relationship between :the cross sectional :areas .of .the outlet openingsxand the corresponding area of the respective pom-bustion chambers may be readily. determined bysimple trial, and depends largely on the heartland velocity required in the blast :to perform ;.the..spe pifie'dmperation. E'orlexamplerimproducing' rela-- tively tfine glass fibers, :it important :tooso proportion t'he -outlet';.ports .that '*..the;: resulting blast has :a temperatures exceeding ;the zsofitening point of glassiand liasaa nelocity suificientrto provide the-forcereduiredetondraw outcor ...attenmate the softened-.glassintofibers ofsthe specified size. Generally -speakinglthe cross sectional area of :each outlet port. may the. in ,the range f 3/ to *of the -cross sectional. area of ithe :respective combustion. chamber. With .suchlan arrangement, it .v is possible .to provide .22. rgaseous yblast havi-ngta temperature in the region of. the .burner :exceedmg-BOOWF. and having velocities incexcess o'f l250ieet per second.

'In theaembodimentsof theinvention shown in Figure l offthe drawings, the burnerzassembly D is :supported in a position whereinthe combustion chamber I3 is located directly above the :combustion chamber rll. l, a-nd *wherein the, front end=of theburner.isleleyated. It willalso be noted fromFigure 1 :0f :thedrawings that. a pool of moltenglassfi is contained in the chambervl3 and .cismaintainedvat.v such a level that the top surface of {the poolscoincideswith thepfront edge of the dividing wall 15. :Theglass issuppliedto the chamiber l3 throughanopehingid formed in the top wall of .:-the .;burner assembly, between the throatflzll and the perforated :reartwall [8 of the chamber. iThe-openingi ilis. connected to a vertioa-lcOnduitLZS,andrthe latter inxtnrn is connected to :a source ofuglass supply. Glass may be supplied :to ithecham'ber l31in various different forms. b

Forexample, the combustion chamber ,lttmay be used as a melter iorthe glass .in which event glass cullet, such :for. example, as prefabricated marbles or raw glass "hatch may be :fed directly into the chamber [3 through the conduit25. On the other hand, the combustion chamber [3 may be employedto:.superheat moltentglass, in which -event the conduitr=may beconnected directly to a-forehearth (not shown) so that molten glass is -'introduced into the: comb11stion chamber l3. In :anycase "a pair of valvesyzfi ,are preferably Dro- =vided inathe conduit 25. These valves are spaced from-each other inthe direction of lengthof the conduit; and are alternatelyoperated in order to prevent' the escape of, either combustible gaseous :m-ixtureorlproducts of;oombustion during the inaterval glass cisied to the chamber 13. However, pressure :may be applied over :the -:molten s supply zibodyrorigother ibatchmaterials to not only assist feeding theimaterial but, also prevent the -esacape f; gases from the combustion chamber. x In linstances :where molten glass :is-fed to the burner chamber pressure :may .be applied -to the surface of .Lthe ;.glass. in the ,forebay: or ,primary melting chamber ibyany wellknown process. :During. operation of the, burner assembly, the demperature in-gthe. combustion chamber; I 3 1 subistantiallylexceedsq3Q0O ';F,., which is ,greater than the melting pointphglass. Thus.glass .-bat clror rglass-oulletzintroduced:to ithephamber -:I 3 p is -conwalls of this --cham'ber.

werfteddo-aemolten:state withmra-matteriofeseoends, and the pool G indicated 'iniFigureiil ofirthe }drawings:is thereby *readi'lyzformed. 'IDue "the high'rateiof combustion which:takes placein the chamber 14, the :dividingwall *lfiwhioh forms the bottom-wall .ofzthe chamber i 3 becomes extremely .hot and 'greatlyiassists; in providing the 'tempera- .turesrequir'ed to very :quickly meltthe glassintroduoedto .thechamber m. In the event itfis selected .to feed mo1ten=-:glass into the combustion chamber 1 3' from a forehearth or other tfeed'en is possible to operate the" forehearth or 'feederat lower temperaturesandto superheat the mol ten glass in the'combustion chamber l3.

The operation of the forehearth. or feeder at lower -temperatures 1 is wery it important I in that it enables substantially r reducing the cost of preduction. In either case'it'will be noted from Fig ure 1 0'f the drawings that the pool of molten glass G covers or "substantially: covers the inne-r surface-of the rear 'wa1l 'l 8-of the chamber l i However, this glass ---does not "interfere with the passage of the combustible gaseous m ix-'ture through the restricted'orifices 1-! in the -wall l tl. Onthe contrary, the gases in effect filter through the molten glass and actually bum in --contac't with the glass.

In :order toprotect the dl-vidingwall 1 5 and at the same time provide-a surface which is readily wettediby molten-glass; a liner-"3U is-:.su-p ported on the top surface of the wall 'l li." The liner 3!) is preferablyformed of arelatively thin sheet of metal having high heat resistantchem acteristicssuch for example, as platinum, and is ofsumcient size to cover-the entire-topsurface of the wall IS. The liner BD- has -an ups'tand ing marginal flange -31 at opposite sides-which conforms to the contour of-the chamber-li and engages the inner surfaces of the opposite-side Upon reference to Figures 3-and 4 of the drawings-it will benoted that the liner 3'0 has 'a-portion-*32 of reduced width which "extends "through the throat -26, and is bent over-the front-edge'of the'dividing'wall l5 to not only assist in securing the'liner -in place,'but to also protect-the front edgeportion of the wall I5 'from the products *of combustion issuing from the discharge port"23- for-the"cham- "'ber'l4.

The width of the forwardly "projecting portion 32 on the liner is less-than "the length of-the discharge port 22, and 'isicentrally positioned-in the discharge port *22'by inverted channel-shaped portions 33 'formed on the liner at cpposite sides of the portion 32. As 'shown'infFigure ,2 oft-he drawings, the outer flanges 34 of the channels respectively engage opposite end walls of the port 22 and rest onthe vtop ofthe dividing wall I5. The inner flanges 35 of thechannels 33 cooperate with one another to confine the'molten glass stream entering therdischarge port "22 'to a path corresponding in width to the portion "32 of the liner.

The respective channels v cooperate with "the adjacent portions .o'fthe dividing wall 15 to form passages .36 at opposite .sidesojf thepath -of movement of the molten glass along thereduced .porti0n.32 v.of the .liner. The rear ends of the passages '36 respectively communicate with upwardly opening ports 3! formed atlqppositesid'es of the liner adjacent the rear end of theportion 32. The ports 3! communicate with the combustion chamber l3 to enable, products of combustion to pass through the passages 1%. Suitable flanges38..are formed at the inner sides of the ports 31 to prevent the entrance of molten glass into the passages 36.

It has previously been stated that the level of molten glass G in the chamber 13 is maintained so that a quantity of molten glass extends into the discharge port 22 in the manner diagrammatically indicated in Figure 1 of the drawings. This molten glass is subjected to the force of the products of combustion escaping through the port 22, and the velocity of the gaseous products of combustion is sufiiciently high to provide the force required to blow molten glass into the atmosphere from the tip or front edge of the liner 36. The stream of gas issuing from the discharge port 22 is assisted in blowing molten glass. into the atmosphere by the stream of products of combustion discharging through the bottom port 23. As stated above the stream of gas issuing from the port 23 combines with the stream of gas issuing from the port 22 immediately adjacent the front edge of the liner 30. Thus in effect the molten glass at the tip or front edge of the liner 30 is engaged between the two high velocity blasts and is blown with considerable force into the atmosphere. Any tendency for molten glass to pile up or accumulate at the flanges 35 of the liner is prevented by the high velocity blast flowing into the atmospher through the passages 36 previously described as positioned at opposite sides or" the liner.

If desired the front edge of the liner may be formed with a series of serrations or upwardly extending projections 40. This construction is especially advantageous in instances where relatively fine fibers are to be formed, since it enables drawing or attenuating molten glass from the projections or serrations by the force of the blast.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Figure of the drawings differs from the one previously described in that the burner assembly is supported in such a position that the common dividing wall l5 between the two combustion chambers is inclined downwardly to some extent. With this construction molten glass does not accumulate in the top combustion chamber l3 in the form of a pool and is fed by gravity to the outlet port 22. If desired the flow of molten glass to the outlet port 22 may be retarded to some extent by forming transverse serrations 42 in the top surface of the liner 30. These serrations, together with the pressure conditions at the discharge port 22, act to control the now of molten glass to the front edge of the liner where the blowing takes place.

It will further be noted from Figure 5 of the drawings that molten glass is shown as introduced to the top chamber [3 from a forehea-rth or equivalent type of glass feeder. In order to avoid excessive cooling of the molten glass while in the supply conduit 25, a suitable heating device 43 may be provided. In the specific embodiment of the invention, the heating device is shown as an electrically operated coil, but other forms of heating equipment may, of course, be used. With the above'exceptions, the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 5 is similar to the one previously described, and the same reference characters are used to indicate corresponding parts.

I claim:

1. The process of producing relatively fine fibers which comprises burning a combustible gaseous mixture in separate chambers having a wall common to the chambers, discharging the products of combustion from the chambers through restricted ports located at opposite sides of the wall, introducing glass into one chamber under a pressure at least as great as the pressure within the chamber, melting the glass in contact with the gases of combustion taking place in the chamber, flowing the molten glass along said common wall toward the outlet opening in said one chamber, and blowing the molten glass from said wall by the force of the gases issuing from said outlet openings. a

2. The process of forming relatively fine glass fibers which comprises burning a, combustible gaseous mixture in separate superposed chambers having a wall common to said chambers, discharging the products of combustion fromthe chambers in the form of high velocity streams through outlet openings located in the front walls of the chambers at opposite sides of the common wall to cause the streams of gas to flow across the front edge of the wall with a, wiping action, heating glass in the uppermost chamber by the heat resulting from the combustion, taking place in this chamber to a temperature exceeding the melting point of the glass, flowin the molten glass along the common wal1 to the front edge of said wall, and blowing molten glass from said wall by the force of the gases flowing through the outlet openings across the front edge of the wall.

3. The process of producing glass fibers which comprises burning a combustible gaseous mixture in separate chambers located one above the other and having a common wall, discharging the products of combustion from the chambers in the form of high velocity streams of gas through outlet openings located in the front walls of the chambers at opposite sides of the common dividing wall whereby the streams of gas flow across the front edge of the wall as they issue from the outlet openings, introducing glass into the upper most combustion chamber and heating the glass to a temperature exceeding the melting point of glass by the combustion taking place in said uppermost chamber, flowing the molten glass in the form of a stream along the common wall to the front edge of said wall, and drawing glass from the front edge of the wall by the force of the gases issuing from the outlet openings.

4. The process of producing glass fibers which comprises burning a combustible gaseous mixture in separate chambers located one above the other and having a common wall, discharging the products of combustion from the chambers in the form of high velocity streams of gas through outlet openings located in the front walls of the chambers at opposite sides of the common dividing wall whereby the streams of gas flow across the front edge of the wall as they issue from the outlet openings, introducing molten glass into the uppermost combustion chamber to form a pool therein whereby the gases of combustion pass through the molten glass, flowing the molten glass along the common wall to the front edge of said wall, and drawing molten glass from the front edge of the wall by the force of the gases issuing from the outlet openings.

5. The process of producing relatively fine glass fibers which comprises burning a combustible gaseous mixture in a chamber to provide a temperature in the chamber exceeding the melting point of glass, discharging the products of combustion from the chamber through an outlet opening restricted to provide an intensely hot higlf velocitrbl-ast of opening,- heating opening, narrowing the stream and between'the sides of said-stream and the corresponding sides of the outlet opening;

and blowing molten glass-from -the--- outlet 1 open' ing- 'by the 'force of-the blast issuing from the-= outlet openingz 6; The process of producing glass fibers which comprises burninga combustible gaseous-mixture" in' separate chambers located one above the other and having a=commonwall, discharging" combustion 'from the chambers" high velocity streams'of gas the-=-productsof in the frm' of through outlet openings located in the front walls" of the chambers'atoppositesides of the common dividing wall whereby the streams of gas flow across the front edge of the wall'as they issue from the outlet openings, introducingglass into the uppermost combustion chamber and heating thes-glassttowa temperature exceeding the melting point oi glass by passing the gases of combus tion taking place in said uppermost chamberth-rough thexglass flowing themolten glass'in' the. form .of'a stream along thecommon:- wall totheifront edge of said wall, confining the streams of glass as it approaches the outlet opening in the top chamber to provide a space between opposite sides of the stream and adjacent sides of the last named outlet opening, directing products of combustion from the top chamber through said spaces, and drawing glass from the front edge of the wall by the force of the gases issuing from said outlet openings.

7. Apparatus for producing glass fibers, comprising a burner assembly having a chamber in which a combustible gaseous mixture is burned to provide a temperature in the chamber exceeding the melting point of glass, a restricted outlet opening in the front wall of the burner through which the products of combustion are discharged in the form of an intensely hot high velocity blast, means for feeding glass into the combustion chamber at a point spaced rearwardly of the outlet opening, the bottom wall of the chamber being inclined upwardly to provide a pool of glass in the chamber, and projections on the bottom wall of the outlet opening from which streams of molten glass are drawn from the pool by the force of the blast issuing from the outlet opening.

8. Apparatus for producing glass fibers, comprising a burner assembly having a chamber in which a combustible gaseous mixture is burned to provide a temperature in the chamber exceeding the melting point of glass, a restricted outlet opening in the front wall of the burner through which the products of combustion are discharged in the form of an intensely hot high velocity blast, means for feeding glass into the combustion chamber at a point spaced rearwardly of the outlet opening, the bottom wall of the chamber being inclined upwardly to provide a pool of glass in the chamber, a liner of high temperature resistant material on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the chamber and extending along the bottom side of the outlet opening, and serrations on the portion of the liner in the outlet opening from which molten streams of gas issuing: from the *outlet: glass 'in the combustion chameberby= passi g the gases of combustion taking Y stream of glass as it"ap preaches the outlt open-ing and *directing prod ucts of 'combustion along opposite sides of the" gl'ass 'are'drawnfrom :th'e p'ool by'theiorce ofithezi blast-issuingfrom the outlet opening 1 9;: Apparatus for formin'g fine glass fibers,- comprising aburnerrassembly h'avinga pair of charm bers'in-superposed relation-and in-whicha combustible'gaseous lmixture 'is burned to providesa temperature in thezchambers exceeding the melt-'- ing point'of' glass, an outlet opening in'the front wall-of each chamber elongatedin a direction extending: transversely" of the" chamber and re stricte'd: in= across sectional" area with respect to area of the chamber to discharge" the" productsof combustion from said th'eccross sectional chambersin-theform :of a hot high velocity ribbon-like blast, said dividiinga'wal-L' means for feeding glass into one chamber at -a point spaced rearwardly from saidto provide a pool of glass heatedoutlet' opening: by sai'd gases; a lineronthe floor ofthenpper chamber and" having a 'o extending-into the outleton the-. 11

stricted outletopenings in the=front wall of theof the-higher endof the burner. at opposite' sidesdividingf wall 1 through which the products of combustion in the chambers escape in the form of hot high velocity blasts, and means for feeding glass into the uppermost chamber at a point spaced rearwardly from the outlet opening in the latter chamber to provide a pool of molten glass in said chamber whereby said glass is carried from the chamber by the blasts.

11. Apparatus for producing glass fibers, comprising a burner assembly having superposed chambers in which a combustible gaseous mixture is burned and having an inclined dividing wall between adjacent chambers, restricted outlet openings in the front wall of the burner at opposite sides of the dividing wall through which the products of combustion in the chambers escape in the form of hot high velocity blasts, means for feeding glass into the uppermost chamber at a point spaced rearwardly from the outlet opening in the latter chamber, whereby the molten glass flows over the top surface of the dividing wall to the outlet opening in the uppermost chamber.

chambers having a common' rtion' of reduced width" opening for directing molten glass to' said outl'et openi'ng; and means erat oppositesi'd'es of'the portion ofreduced width forming channels through which-- products oil-combustion are discharged.

10:; Apparatus a. for forming fine glass fibers; comprising a burner-assembly having superposed combustible gaseous mix is burned to provide a temperature in the chamber exceeding the attenuating temperature of glass, a restricted outlet in a wall of the burner through which the products of combustion are discharged in the form of an intensely hot high velocity blast, means for feeding glass into the combustion chamber at a zone spaced from the outlet, a liner of high temperature resistant ma-- terial on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the chamber and extending along the bottom wall of the outlet and having laterally-spaced upwardly-projecting portions within the outlet forming a plurality of channels through which the products of combustion forming the blast are discharged.

14. Apparatus for producing fine glass fibers including, in combination, a burner having a. chamber in which a combustible gaseous mixture is burned to provide a temperature in the chamber exceeding the attenuating temperature of.

glass, a restricted outlet in a wall of the burner through which the products of combustion are A discharged in the form of an intensely hot high velocity blast, means for feeding glass into the combustionchamber at a zonespaced from the" outlet, a liner of high temperature resistant material on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the chamberand extending along the bottom wall of the outlet, a portion of the liner within the outlet being formed with a series of serrations from which streams of molten glass are drawn from the chamber by the force of the blast.

15. Apparatus for producing fine glass fibers including, in combination, a burner having a chamber in which a combustible gaseous mixture is burned to provide a temperature in the chamber exceeding the attenuating temperature of glass, a restricted outlet in a wall of the burner through which the products of combustion are discharged in the form of an intensely hot high velocity blast, means for feeding glass into the combustion chamber at a zone spaced from the outlet, a liner of high temperature resistant material on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the chamber and extending along the bottom wall of the outlet and having laterally-spaced upwardly-projecting portions within the outlet forming a plurality of channels through which the products of combustion forming the blast are discharged, 2. portionof the liner in one of the channels being formed with a series of serrations from which streams of molten glass are drawn from the chamber by the force of the blast.

- CHARLES J. STALEGO.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,328,446 Odam Jan. 20, 1920 2,178,871 Drill Nov. '7, 1939 2,233,304 Bleakley Feb. 25, 1941 2,405,036 Hoffman July 30, 1946 2,455,907 Slayter Dec. 7, 1948 2,554,486 Austin May 29, 1951 

